Autopsy of a Deceased Church, 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive.
Groups as well as prayer triad participants are invited to purchase a copy of the above book for study
and reflection. A sign-up sheet for those interested will be in the Narthex.
News
CWF NEWS
April 24, 2016 By
CWF wishes to thank everyone who attended and helped in
any way with the Soup and Salad Luncheon. The gross receipts
were $675 and after expenses of $134, we had a net profit of
$541. Proceeds will benefit both local and national missions.
It is now time to re-enroll in our Kroger Rewards program. To
re-enroll, go to www.kroger.com and log into your account
with your e-mail address and your password. When you have
logged in, go to Account Summary and under “Community
Rewards”, choose First Christian Church, Middletown or use
our organization number 81221. When you get to this screen,
click “enroll”. Our quarterly distribution from Kroger was
$71.72, so this is a worthwhile fundraiser.
For the month of May Esther/Rebekah circle will meet at
church on May 4th at 1 PM. Sarah Circle will meet at Marilyn
Chamberlain”s on May 9th at 7 PM. Hannah Circle will met on
April 10th, but has not yet scheduled a meeting for May. All
ladies of the church are invited to join a circle.
Nik’s Nook- April
April 24, 2016 By
As I write this, the full signs of spring are upon
us. The temperature is up and the trees are beginning
to leaf out. Everything seems to be growing. To make
that last statement gives me pause for the moment.
Can we apply the realities of spring to the life of
the church and where we seek to be moving? I believe
that we can. We have recently had three additions to
our membership by transfer of membership. Prayer
triads have completed their work and some are
continuing as we seek to birth new small groups to give
new opportunities for fellowship and growth.
We will soon have a congregational
mission/vision statement that will begin to allow our
church leadership to move to the next step of
transition, the search process. To do that, the
Reverend Steve Bentley, Associate Regional Minister
will be invited to meet with our Board so that he can
fully help us understand the next steps of writing a
congregational profile and moving ahead to designate a
search committee.
Let me invite you to prayerfully consider whom
you might bring to church to introduce them to First
Christian. You are Christ’s ambassadors to share the
good news of his saving grace. You do that simply by
touching another’s life in friendship and fellowship.
Allow me to close by saying how much of a
delight it is to be your interim pastor.
With His Love,
Pastor Nik
Nik’s Nook -March
March 25, 2016 By
Holy Week is almost upon us and with that come
a variety of activities and opportunities for special
worship. On Palm Sunday, we will celebrate the day
with the parade of the palms. I will be ending my
sermon series on the Lord’s Prayer by addressing the
fuller meaning of the petition, “Lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil”. The title of my
message may seem odd at first, yet without giving too
much away how can we shout “Hosanna” in one breath
and then “Crucify Him” with the next. By the way, that
title is “Shall We Dance?” You will just have to be here
to get the full impact of what Jesus intended.
On Maundy Thursday, we will gather near the
front of the sanctuary to experience some of the
symbols of betrayal, denial, and crucifixion before we
join together to partake of the sacred emblems of that
last supper of remembrance that our Lord gave to us.
This will also be a service of Tenebrae as candles are
gradually extinguished during our worship.
Easter is a full morning starting with our 7:30
a.m. Sunrise Worship (outside if weather permitting),
followed by a continental breakfast in our Fellowship
Hall. At 9:00 a.m., the children will have an Easter
Egg Hunt, and our Easter celebration of worship will be
at 10:00 a.m.
Invite family, friends, and neighbors to join us
for our Holy Week activities.
With His Love,
Pastor Nik
Join Us Ash Wednsday!
February 3, 2016 By
Join us Ash Wednesday, as we start the season of Lent, Leading up to Easter!
We will have Ash Wednesday Service in the sanctuary.
Wednesday February 10th at 7:00p.m.
An Elder Moment for January 2016
January 30, 2016 By
Happy New Year!
It has been a wonderful time of celebration around First Christian over the last several weeks. Thank you to everyone who helped with all the decorating and un-decorating of our sanctuary. All of those who shared their musical talents over the holidays added to the special moments in worship as we prepared for the birth of our Savior. Our youth presentation of the manger time was one of the best. Please continue to share those gifts throughout the year!
For the last 6 months the Elders have been serving as Worship Leader. This was not meant to keep anyone else in our church family from enjoying serving in this position, it was a step in the transition process that we are going through. I want to extend to any of you who would like to serve as worship leader to let Ginger Alley, Tina Yarber, Larry Steele, or Cliff Thompson know so that we can add you to the rotation. Please ask if you have questions about the details of this and what is expected.
The Elders will continue to visit with our special needs members and deliver communion and companionship. If you would like to join and Elder on these visits, just ask! We would be happy to have you join us as would our friends that we are visiting. Remember that if you have a hospital stay, or a family member that does, we are available for prayer and support during that time, BUT WE NEED TO KNOW. The hospital or rehab center will not reach out to us due to privacy laws. We do not want to ignore anyone or let anyone be neglected in a time of need.
With continued Joy from serving,
Your Elders
Outreach News
January 30, 2016 By
On behalf of Outreach, I would like to thank everyone who has made this Christmas season a very joyful time for many within our community. After giving out boxes of food prior to Christmas, we were able to deliver bags and bags of toys to the Center of Hope for Women and Children (Hope House). Toys not distributed during the holidays will be used for several months as new children enter the homeless shelter. Hats and mittens were donated to elementary school children. Additionally, I would like to thank the Outreach volunteers, Linda Poynter, Judy Andrews, and Lois Hafer. Paulette McCandless and Mary Bob Powers also stepped up to help when needed. Thank you to all!
Next up: February is a great month to hold our annual Undie Sunday Drive. Our tradition is to collect new underwear and socks for the children attending Rosa Parks Elementary School as well as the youth who reside at the Center of Hope for Women and Children (Hope House). Needs continue for many children within our community and we would appreciate your help in overflowing our blue giving tub in the narthex.
Thank You
January 5, 2016 By
I would like to thank Pastor Nik for his visit while I recuperated
from my latest surgery. Also thanks for the cards and most for
the prayers from my church family. Thank You! I am now using
only a cane. I hope to not need that soon.
Thanks you again,
Guy Stone
Transition Team Update
January 5, 2016 By
Your Transition Team met and reviewed the survey responses
from the congregational meeting. As a result, the following
were decided:
- Evaluate having coffee time following worship. There will
be no greeting during regular worship. Membership is
asked to coordinate any coffees.
- Nancy Schaefer will coordinate a sign-up sheet for
members to meet for lunch following worship.
- SuAnne Farkas will coordinate a “reunion” for younger
members who have graduated high school in the last 10-
15 years to encourage our youth to participate.
- There will be a carry-in lunch following worship on 10
January 2016. Purpose is to begin the “Prayer Triads”.
More will be coming on this in the future. Transition Team
will coordinate.
- We will have a “Souper Bowl” following worship on 7
February 2016. This will give members an opportunity to
share a favorite soup or a chili. Prizes will be awarded.
In addition to the obvious, one concern expressed in the
surveys was a general lack of commitment on the part of our
overall membership. Where do you fall in that thought??
January 17th Carry-in
January 5, 2016 By
Sunday, January 17th we will have a carry-in luncheon following worship so that we can be introduced to some spiritual formation opportunities that will lead to the formation of “Prayer Triads.”
